Typical, isn't it? As soon as Europe's Ryder Cup qualifying race commences, we find ourselves with back-to-back winners who don't count: Eduardo Romero in Crans, Retief Goosen in Paris. This week, however, at the Belgacom Open in Royal Zoute, that particular statistic should finish.

Certainly, if Darren Clarke can find his touch with the putter, then the price of 8 to 1 on his shoulders would appear far more attractive than the 6 to 1 on favourite Lee Westwood (who is a bit out of sorts with himself these days) and the 7 to 1 available on Colin Montgomerie.

Last year's winner Robert Karlsson is on offer at 33 to 1 but he is not playing with the same flair as 12 months ago. Indeed, Thomas Bjorn - a 10 to 1 chance - showed his liking for this course last year when his score for the final three rounds was matched only by Karlsson and should be there or thereabouts again.

This time, though, the odds of 20 to 1 on Jose-Maria Olazabal, who is anxious to accumulate as many Ryder Cup points as possible before he concentrates on the US Tour next season, seem most tempting.

6-1 - Lee Westwood (England).

7-1 - Colin Montgomerie (Scotland).

8-1 - Darren Clarke (Ireland).

10-1 - Thomas Bjorn (Denmark).

20-1 - Jose-Maria Olazabal (Spain), Bernhard Langer (Germany).

33-1 - Eduardo Romero (Argentina), Robert Karlsson (Sweden), Padraig Harrington (Ireland), Angel Cabrera (Argentina).

40-1 - Miguel-Angel Martin (Spain).

50-1 - Jarrod Moseley (Australia), Dean Robertson (Australia), Pierre Fulke (Sweden), Andrew Coltart (Scotland), Stephen Leaney (Australia), Gary Orr (Scotland), Jose Coceres (Argentina), Jamie Spence (England), Alex Cejka (Germany).

Selected other - 80-1 - Paul McGinley (Ireland).

Prices supplied by Ladbrokes Ireland.